"You sure this guy actually knows something? We've spent three months chasing every half-rumour from people who heard it from someone who heard it from someone else. All we got were duds. Last week, we almost had Law eat a Zoan because someone told us it was a 'Cure-Cure' Fruit. I still can't believe we nearly fell for that. The kid would've turned into a donkey," murmured a very frustrated Lucien as they weaved through a very crowded underground street.
Three months of bad leads, and last week's had been the worst of them. The broker had been so convincing they'd nearly let Law eat the thing before Idris thought to check. Donkey Donkey Fruit. Zoan-type.
"I wouldn't play games with you, Lucien Vosgrave. Trust me, I have personally verified this information with multiple people, and the fruit you are looking for is right there. If you don't go there now, they might put it up for auction in the next few days," and got paid. When they went back to him a few days later, the man had already disappeared, his shops closed, and he had run away the night they paid him, according to the other vendors.
Idris stopped in front of a shop that was doing real business for a place this far underground and said, "Don't worry. This guy knows his stuff. I did him a personal favour before we met, and he hadn't paid me back. If anyone knows anything hidden in the north blue, it's him."
"Then why didn't we come here three months ago?"
Idris considered this for a moment.
"Forgot. Remembered a few weeks back. Decided to come after last week's disaster."
Lucien just shook his head and followed Idris into the shop, pushing their way through multiple groups of people who were drinking out of their minds. It was a proper pub in every sense except location, same drinks, same noise, same general atmosphere of people making decisions they'd regret. The difference was the clientele. Everyone in here was either too weak to risk a real pub or too dangerous for one to want them.
They made it to the bar. Idris caught the eye of someone working the far end, who came over without being asked twice.
"Checo, it's me, Idris Vane. I need to talk to Pancho. Now." Checo looked at Idris, then at Lucien, nodded once, and went through the back. After a few seconds, the guy came back and flicked his head towards the door and allowed both of them to just walk into the back, and after following the bartender through a long corridor, they opened another door into an even busier place.
Following the guy, they finally arrived at a sealed-off area to see a fat man having multiple women fawning over him, feeding him all kinds of fruits, whispering things and giggling. He noticed Idris and Lucien come as he stood up.
"Idris Vane, the feared shooter who took on a kingdom. I was shocked to see your expressionless face in the newspaper, the same boy who came in for my head now has a bounty of nearly 15 million berries."
Idris didn't respond to the man and Pancho didn't seem to mind as he just turned his head towards Lucien and continued, "Lucien Vosgrave, the guy almost every navy is on for manhunt even after 3 months. So what is your crew name? Deciding to attack a kingdom and killing a royal family member is no joke."
"Pancho, skip the nonsense. We are here for some info. If you don't get us any, we'll leave, but don't bullshit us here." Interrupted Idris as he just stared at Pancho.
Pancho laughed at Idris before walking away from the couch he was at, motioning them to follow him as he led them into an office. With all three of them seated, Pancho looked at Idris and asked.
"So tell me, Vane, what do you want? I presume you are here to cash in that favour I owe you. After all these years, I was starting to think you actually forgot about it completely."
Idris just leaned a little closer and said, "A Devil Fruit. We are looking for a devil fruit."
"Ah! A devil fruit this time. So tell me what kind of fruit are you guys looking for? There are quite a few I have in my own positions. Who knows if you are lucky, I can get it to you right now."
"We don't have a name, but we need a devil fruit that can help in healing. Something that can cure even the incurable diseases. Save people from the verge of death, even. We are looking for that kind. Do you have it?"
"Ah, you are looking for such a rare breed of fruit. Something almost every living human wants. I don't think even my own favour is worth that much for information on these fruits." Pancho chuckled, but faced with Idris's death stare, he just continued.
"There are a few fruits I have heard whispers about that can closely relate to your needs. One of them is the Heal-Heal Fruit. It's pretty straightforward, as its name suggests; it can heal people incredibly well. But this fruit was last seen in the Grand Line as far as I heard."
"We would like to know if any of these fruits are in North Blue, and I can get my hands on. The Cost isn't the problem."
Pancho went silent as he just leaned back, and silence settled into the room as only the sound of Pancho's fingers hitting his chair was heard.
"There is one. The information on it is also pretty fresh, so it shouldn't be sold yet or eaten yet," he said after a minute as Idris just waited.
"Ope Ope no Mi. A Paramecia-type Devil Fruit. It fits right in your ballpark."
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Author's Note: I need your help, guys! I'm absolutely terrible with names and could really use some suggestions — specifically, a name for the pirate crew and nicknames for both Lucien and Idris.
Trust Me I wouldn't be asking if I tried and the result was bad, really BAD. Any ideas are more than welcome, because I'm kind of desperately hopeless at this, so please don't hold back!
1 Chapter For Every 50 Power Stones. Please Do Support.